An Integrated Biohazard Analyzer for Multiplexed Food and Water Pathogens

Espira has developed a Biohazard Analyzer (BA) for rapid pathogen detection. Espiras Biohazard Analyzer goes beyond lab culturing of indicator coliforms and E.coli by detecting a suite of specific bacteria, protozoa and viruses in the same test. Total organisms and viable organisms are separately reported for each pathogen. A typical Biohazard Analyzer test cycle is under 1 hour. This includes automated sample collection, concentration, and detection and can be operated by minimally trained personnel. For this proposal we are applying our BA towards monitoring of E. Coli O157:H7 (bacterial target), Cryptosporidium (parasite target) and Norovirus (viral target). The current approaches to monitor these pathogens are laborious and time consuming. None of the devices is multiplexed enough to accommodate such large variety of pathogens as requested in the solicitation. Typically, more than 24 hours are required with relatively large lab requirements and trained technicians to detect the content of pathogens in food and water. In this proposal to Army we are planning to test the feasibility of our technology towards an integrated (single process) and automated instrument for near-real time in line diagnostics with 100 ml water sample spiked with known quantity of pathogens of interest.